Renowned surgical gastroenterologist, Prof N. Rangabashyam, 79, passed away in his sleep on Sunday morning.

His last rites were performed the same eve­ning at Besant Nagar crematorium. Prof Ranga­ba­shyam is survived by his wife, son and daughter.

Former head of the depar­t­ment of surgical gastroenterology and proctology and clinical professor of surgery, Madras Medical Col­lege, and GGH, Prof Ranga­bashyam was the first to start a separate department for surgical gastroenterology and again the first to start a specialisation in surgical gastroenterology, M.Ch. degree course in India.

Recalling his association with Prof Ranga­bahsyam from 1985-1991 at GH, the present head of department of surgical gastroenterology, Dr S.M. Chand­­­ra­mohan, said Ranga­ba­­shyam was a visionary and a doctor with commitment.

“I’m sitting in the department that he started. He wanted healthcare of our country on a par with other countries and worked towards it. Ranga­bashyam was the one to start M.Ch degree and the course has produced many eminent doctors,” he said.

A student of Rangaba­shyam and at present the transplant coordinator of state cadaver transplant programme, Dr J. Amalopa­vanathan, said he was a go-getter.  Prof Rangabashyam was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and won the prestigious Dr B C Roy national award twice.

A.C Muthaiah, former president of FICCI and BCCI, condoled the death of Dr Rangabashyam saying that India has lost an eminent surgical gastroenterologist.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / by DC / July 15th, 2013